City of Tampa

This is highly technical and lead work involving oversight of the operation of a State licensed drinking water production facility.

An employee in this class, under direction, is responsible for work of considerable difficulty in front-line planning, organizing and oversight of daily activities of operators performing technical advanced water treatment duties. Employee acts as Team Leader (TL), exercising considerable initiative and independent judgement to: determine and prepare shift assignments; prepare daily operation reports required by regulatory agencies and Production management; and, coordinate operation of auxiliary treatment plants, well field operation, or sludge processing, either remotely or with remote personnel. The employee trains subordinates to assure safety, proper operation of equipment, and compliance with chemical handling and plant Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Other duties include coordinating with utility maintenance on shift and performing personnel and administrative tasks including assisting with employee evaluations, development of SOPs, inspecting safety and emergency equipment for proper operation and condition; maintaining files, logs and records required for proper operation and condition. Work is reviewed through conferences, reports submitted, and observation of results obtained.

Maintains operational parameters for water production chemistry, treatment, filtration, and sludge removal systems to insure specifications for water quality are maintained in compliance with Water Department standards and federal and state regulations of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA); performs analytical testing, makes adjustments to treatment as needed; insures quality control parameters are maintained; performs analysis of filter samples, inspects filter and pipe gallery; records filter operational data; initiates filter backwash sequence according to filter SOP; operates reclaim basin equipment; initiates sludge removal from treatment basins, maintains proper sludge thickener operation according to SOP; initiates reactor prill discharge and removal in treatment units at Morris Bridge Water Treatment Plant.

Performs routine and emergency equipment maintenance; inspects chemical feed systems of liquid, dry and gaseous chemicals used in water treatment and sludge processing to determine status and insure proper and safe operation of systems; insures proper chemical feed dosages are maintained according to treatment specifications; insures procedures for chemical handling, safety, storage, and procurement are followed; enforces procedures for handling chemical spills and accidental chemical releases.

When working at Residuals Processing: performs daily inspections of pumps, filter belt presses, conveyors, compressors, polymer feed equipment, and electrical equipment to insure safe and proper operation; makes periodic rounds of facility buildings, grounds and equipment for proper functioning and security purposes.

Operates and records all data associated with operations of the Morris Bridge Wellfield; operates low and high service pumping to insure efficient system operation; reviews system pressures to determine proper pump sequence and operation; inspects pumping equipment, pump valving, motors and associated equipment for proper operation; maintains distribution storage and operation of remote pumping facilities; records necessary pumping operational reports, coordinates pumping operation of remote facilities, Morris Bridge Wellfield, and coordinates wellfield pumping with Tampa Bay Water (TBW) to fill alternate storage; initiates treatment, filter operations, reclaim and sludge thickener operation, and pump station control changes through the Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) system to maintain water production quality specifications.

Performs basic level instrumentation and control tasks to insure proper control of I/O communications; utilizes basic electrical skills for maintenance and repair of pumps and control systems of 240 volts or less; maintains treatment chemical inventory control, ordering systems, and storage levels for treatment chemicals; writes maintenance work orders, coordinates repairs and preventive maintenance with maintenance personnel; insures daily operational reports are properly completed; takes midnight reading as necessary; utilizes computer programs to input data to Hydro system; runs wellfield modeling; maintains operational records, prepares technical evaluations directed by Production Supervisor; records readings of river flows and elevations, golf course spray irrigation, and Southwest Florida Water Management District (SWFWMD) and US Geological Survey (USGS) data as directed.

When operating at Residuals Processing Facility, duties include: operation and maintenance of sludge draw off pumps from sludge thickeners; operation and maintenance of sludge belt filter presses, associated motors and pumps; maintenance of sludge drying beds and associated pumping equipment and valving; maintenance of sludge lagoons, valves and pumps; maintaining and operating pumping of effluent to Rogers Park Golf Course spray irrigation system; operation of dump truck and front-end loaders as necessary for coordination of sludge drying and disposal per contractual agreements.

Performs related work as required.

Considerable knowledge of: water treatment operation principles, practices, procedures, and equipment; treatment chemistry of ground and surface waters; chemical handling and safety pertaining to potable water production; OSHA standards and policies and federal and state regulatory requirements for water treatment parameters under the Safe Drinking Water Act.

Working knowledge of: chemical feed systems; pumps, pumping mechanics and associated equipment; practices, methods, materials, and tools of the mechanical trade; effective lead worker techniques; chemical inventory control; shift scheduling.

Ability to: act in a lead capacity and direct the activities of lower level employees; plan, organize and oversee the work of lower level employees; conduct basic laboratory tests; create and maintain records and prepare and submit clear and concise reports for supervisors, federal and state regulatory agencies, and management; maintain effective working relationships with employees and the general public.

Skill in: operation and maintenance of equipment utilized in water treatment operations.

Graduation from an accredited high school, supplemented with some college level course work in biology, chemistry, or natural sciences, and course work in theories, principles, and supervision of water treatment operations, and three (3) years of responsible experience in a lead capacity; or an equivalent combination of training and experience.

Possession of: a State of Florida Class “A” Drinking Water Operators License; certification for Basic Mechanical Skills and level I I&C Skills per Tampa Water Department Training Program.

During periods when the Mayor issues an emergency declaration for the City of Tampa, all employees may be required to work in preparation, response or recovery activities related to the stated emergency.